As Metro moves closer to its new bus network here in Houston, see how the agency is preparing for the dramatic change in service. This change will happen overnight, essentially at the flip of a switch. Related to the new bus network, Kurt Luhrsen, Metro’s vice president for service planning and transit reimagining said “We encourage people to live and work along these corridors where we have frequent service. So, over time it gives certain areas a bigger locational advantage.”

Harris County continues to grow without much form of planning, resulting in frustrations from residents. "As County Judge Ed Emmett frequently notes, the unincorporated parts of Harris County are now sufficiently populous to count as the fifth largest city in Texas." More roads are being constructed, but the county still suffers from traffic congestion. "Total lane miles in the county increased 40 percent over four years."

Huntington is seeing great growth in its downtown, and its wonderful to see the work that has gone in to making the Old Main Corridor, or 4th Avenue, a more complete, connective street. I can't wait to visit Huntington again sometime in the near future to see these changes. As a graduate student at Marshall University, my friend, and current Huntington planning commissioner, Will Holland and myself made note of the great potential that Huntington possesses in many of its corridors, especially 4th Avenue, but also 16th Street (Hal Greer Boulevard), and also 20th Street (Marshall Memorial Boulevard).

Now for a host of Michigan and Detroit related articles:

Paul Egan at the The Detroit Free Press asked, "Are Michigan roads in lousy shape because they’re not well built to begin with, or because repairs are done in such a way that they are likely to fail?" Michigan suffers from a host of challenges on its roads as Egan mentions, "including the state’s highest-in-the nation truck weight limits — double what other states allow; its swampy soil, and its frequently harsh freeze-and-thaw cycles." This makes producing quality roads a challenge. Another quote from the article, from Michigan state senator Patrick Colbeck, “Building roads that last longer would mean that we will eventually need less money to maintain our roads, not more.”

Not of it.

Reflections on urban planning, development and urban issues in Houston and abroad. Also, other chatter related to local government, cities, urban life, athletics, culture and life in Christ. It's all game.